Napa DA Settles Environmental Suit With Gas Station Owners

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A settlement has been reached in an environmental protection action against the owners and operators of several Fast And Easy gas stations in Napa, Yolo, Lake, Alameda and San Joaquin counties, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced Monday.

Yolo County Superior Court entered a judgment ordering defendants Aasim Corporation, Aasim Enterprises, Inc., Ashraf Ali, Yasmin Ali, Samir Ali, Shafique Bhimani, and Mohammed Bilal to pay $1.1 million in civil penalties and investigative costs. This judgment settles allegations that the defendants failed to follow state laws governing the operation of retail gas stations in the five counties.

Owners and operators of underground storage tanks at retail gas stations in California are subject to fair, yet stringent environmental rules and requirements designed to prevent underground petroleum releases to surface and ground waters. Prosecutors alleged the Fast and Easy defendants failed to adequately install, monitor, operate and calibrate important onsite equipment designed to detect leaks at the earliest possible opportunity and failed to comply with laws regulating hazardous wastes and hazardous materials at the gas stations.

The two Napa County locations involved were:

• Fast and Easy (recently re-branded as a Shell station), 1108 Lincoln Ave., Calistoga, 94515
• Valley Liquor and Gas, 2023 Monticello Road, Napa, 94558

As part of the judgment, the defendants must pay $900,000 in civil penalties and $200,000 in investigative and enforcement costs.

The settlement also includes a permanent statewide injunction prohibiting the defendants from violating laws related to underground storage tanks and hazardous waste and further requires them to retain an experienced, independent environmental consultant to assist with future compliance at all stations.

"Underground fuel leaks pose a significant threat to Napa County's groundwater supply and to the environment," Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley said. "This case illustrates the importance of keeping our water supply safe from pollution by holding companies that fail to monitor and maintain their underground storage tanks accountable."

The DA's Office thanked the Napa County Environmental Health Division; City of San Leandro Environmental Services; Hayward Fire Department; Lake County Division of Environmental Health; San Joaquin County Environmental Health Department; and the Yolo County Environmental Health Division for their investigative efforts and assistance with the case.